Jefferson County Drug Crime Lawyer

In Alabama, being caught in possession of a controlled substance and being accused of distributing that substance are different offenses that carry different punishments. Other considerations in a drug-related case include the type of the controlled substance, the age of the parties involved, how close the alleged offense was to a school, public building, or other restricted locations.

During a trial, the prosecutor will likely use evidence to try to establish that Alabama’s drug laws were broken. Without a well-versed criminal attorney on their side, a person accused of such offenses may be at a disadvantage without knowing the intricacies of the law.

The penalties for drug-related criminal offenses can sometimes result in significant fines and jail time. If someone is facing drug charges, it may help to work with a Jefferson County Drug Lawyer who knows the statutes and procedures governing drug laws.

Alabama has a rigorous set of laws that classify the various drug-related criminal offenses. Included in this statutory list of charges is:

• The unlawful distribution, possession, or manufacture of controlled substances
• First and second-degree unlawful possession of marijuana
• Selling or furnishing controlled substances to a person under 18 years old by a person over 18 years old
• Possession of drug paraphernalia
• Selling controlled substances near a school or near a public housing project

These charges can be life-changing, so creating a strong defense to combat them is important. An attorney with experience in these cases can help provide some much-needed clarity and negotiating power.

Some drug offenses carry much greater penalties than others. For example, possession of marijuana for personal use is a class A misdemeanor, while possession of other controlled substances can be a felony punishable by 10 to 20 years in prison and thousands of dollars in fines.

In addition to the penalties prescribed for each felony and misdemeanor, drug offense laws allow the courts in Jefferson County to levy additional fines and even suspend an offender’s driver’s license.

However, the court may hold off on imposing a drug conviction sentence if the defendant agrees to enter a court-approved drug rehabilitation program and pays for a portion of the costs of such program. Upon successful completion of the program, the defendant may petition for a reduced sentence. These penalties, and the opportunity to mitigate these penalties, make the stakes for any case related to drug offenses very high.

If you are facing drug charges, you may need to build a strong defense against the prosecution. Opposing parties will gather evidence and arguments to convince a jury, but you are innocent until proven guilty. If you are convicted, you may face stiff penalties.

An attorney could aggressively defend you in court, protect your interests, and unburden you of understanding the specific laws at work in your situation. Call and speak to a Jefferson County drug lawyer today to get started on your case.